Glossary of terms

  • Actual cash value

    The value of property, less deductions for appreciation.

  • Actuary

    A person who projects losses based on exposure and previous loss history.

  • Appraised value

    Value placed on property by a qualified expert.

  • Auto physical damage

    Damage to university-owned vehicles.

  • Bond

    Guarantee to pay if specific conditions are met.

  • Business interruption

    Coverage for lost revenue due to a covered occurrence.

  • Captive insurance company

    A subsidiary company providing insurance to its parent.

  • Certificates of insurance

    Form that evidences insurance including insurer, coverage and limits.

  • Collision

    A type of physical damages resulting from collision with another vehicle or other object.

  • Comprehensive

    A type of physical damage not resulting from collision.

  • Disability management

    Assistance provided to employees to minimize the effects of illness and injuries while encouraging a safe and expedient return to work.

  • Excess insurance

    A layer of insurance coverage that is second to the primary insurance.

  • Experience

    The loss record of a department or line of insurance coverage. Classified statistics showing what has happened in the past.

  • Fine art

    Assets whose value increases over time due to their rarity or intrinsic value.

  • Indemnification

    Agreement wherein one party agrees to pay for the loss or damage it causes to another.

  • Liability

    Legal obligation to reimburse for damages to third parties.

  • Liquor Liability

    Amounts the university is legally obligated to pay to reimburse for damages to third parties arising out of the serving of alcohol.

  • MIOSHA injury log

    A record of employee or contractor work-related injuries and illnesses.

  • Occurrence

    An adverse accident or event neither expected nor intended.

  • Personal Injury Protection

    Benefits provided under the Michigan No-Fault Act for accidental bodily injury sustained while in a university vehicle or from an injury sustained arising out of the operation, use or maintenance of a vehicle.

  • Premiums

    Amounts charged for insurance coverage.  Premium factors include loss experience and exposure.  Calculation methodology varies by coverage.

  • Primary insurance

    The first layer of insurance coverage.

  • Replacement cost

    The cost incurred to replace property with like, kind and quality.

  • Reserve

    The amount estimated to be paid to resolve a claim.

  • Restitution

    Proceeds recovered from a third party as recovery for damages or losses incurred by the university.

  • Retention

    The deductible amount of an insurance policy.

  • Risks

    A term used to denote the exposure to damages involving human or physical assets.

  • Salvage

    Any proceeds from the repaired, recovered, or scrapped property.

  • Self-insurance

    University funds set aside to meet losses it retains.

  • Subrogation

    Any proceeds of negotiations or legal action taken against negligent third parties.

  • Time element

    Coverage for lost revenue due to a covered occurrence.

  • Total incurred

    The sum of amounts and reserved for a claim.

  • Umbrella coverage

    A layer of insurance coverage that is second to more than one layer of primary insurance.

  • Volunteers

    A person providing authorized work/assistance to the university without compensation.